Living and deceased pets can play role in research

Chase and Chance, two young golden retrievers, are enrolled in a cancer… (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO )

July 14, 2013|By Karen Steinrock, Special to The Morning Call

Before I introduce July's Pet Lover of the Month, I'd like to thank everyone for their heartfelt condolences on Professor Barney.

For those unaware, our 7-year-old Newfoundland was euthanized at home June 27 because of complications of heart failure.

Rather than dwell on the sorrow that followed, there's one aspect that has brought me great comfort: His bad heart may actually do some good.

Once he peacefully slipped away, our veterinarian rushed him back to the clinic to remove heart valves and tissues for a cardiac study that is underway at the University of Pennsylvania. I had found the study a week earlier on the AKC Canine Health Foundation website.

Knowing we'd be losing Barney very soon, I immediately contacted the researcher in charge of the project to see if they'd be interested in his heart tissues. My message was returned promptly. It was a definite "yes."

After conferring with our veterinarian, the wheels were set in motion. Our dear boy's failed heart will contribute to a study that may help prevent, treat and possibly eliminate mitral valve disease in dogs.

You too can participate in groundbreaking research that will help extend the lives of future generations of dogs, cats, birds and other cherished companions. And your pet need only provide samples such as cheek swabs, blood, urine and hair as specified by the researcher.

July Pet Lover of the Month

Meet Amy Witter, associate professor of chemistry at Dickinson College and owner of two golden retriever brothers, Chase and Chance.

Witter was nominated by a co-worker who admired her commitment to the health and longevity of golden retrievers — a breed that is plagued by cancer. Statistics show one in three goldens will succumb to some form of carcinoma, and those numbers expected to rise.

She enrolled both brothers in a lifetime study at Colorado State University, sponsored by the Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Lifetime Health initiative.

"As a scientist, it was a no-brainer for me," says Witter, who lost her father to thyroid cancer in 2011. "I felt so powerless then. The information gleaned from this study will be invaluable."

Golden retrievers 6 months to 2 years old are invited to enroll in the lifetime study. "One of the more interesting aspects is the quality of the questions asked in the owner survey," she continues. "As an environmental chemistry professor I'm very interested in the impact the environment has on this breed. I always remind my students that we live in a chemical world."

The survey asks the types of toys your dog plays with, the bedding they sleep on, where you allow your dog to play (e.g. on pesticide-treated lawn?) or on concrete, grass, driveways, rugs, as well as nutrition and exercise details.

"You have to agree to microchip your dog and have the vet draw blood samples, take toenail clippings, and fecal/urine samples at their yearly appointments," Witter says. "And you must assure your veterinarian agrees to participate."

Because Witter doesn't trust commercial dog food, she prepares homemade meals from recipes provided in the book "Feed Your Best Friend Better." "It sounds like a lot of work, but I can prepare 10 or more meals in an hour," she says.

Chase and Chance are also treated to 30-minute walks twice a day, hiking on weekends and daily obedience practice. "I follow Cesar Milan's philosophy about letting a dog being a dog, and while I love them dearly, I do not treat them like humans." she emphasizes. "It's exercise, obedience and love, in that order."

The fact that Chase and Chance are brothers will add an interesting element to the research, since their genetic heritage and environment are the same. "I really hope to contribute to better health in the breed," she say.

For more information on how you and your pet can contribute to groundbreaking research contact:

Karen Steinrock is a pet columnist based in Grantham, Cumberland County. Send questions, comments and a photo of your pet to Karen at ksteinrock@comcast.net or to P.O. Box 306, Grantham, PA 17027. Please include your hometown and phone number.